February, we know, it was not particularly clémented with New York for the weather: the city is used to managing extreme weather events, but the snowstorms that struck the Big Apple earlier this year put under pressure transport, commercial activities and essential services as a few times in recent years.
During one of the last storms that hit the city in the past weeks, with significant accumulations and strong slowdowns especially in the suburbs, many exercises have chosen to close temporarily. Rosario Granieri, founder of Pizza Secret, also had to do the same, but he decided to use a forced closure to transform his own place into a free food distribution point.
The idea arises from the need for virtue: “Because of a water loss coming from the upper floor, we were forced to temporarily stop the activity to start restoration work.” An unforeseen suspension, however, overlapped on the arrival of the storm. «In the following days, while we were closed and waiting for the official start of the yard, the city was hit by a strong snow storm». With slow roads and many inactive activities, Granieri and his team decided to reopen temporarily, but with a function other than commercial.
The main objective was to avoid the waste of raw materials, but in order to do so it was tried to respond to a Community need. “We had fresh ingredients that we didn’t want to waste. We announced on Instagram that we would cook and donate food to anyone who needed it” in a city where, according to data from some local organizations such as City Harvest and Food Bank for New York City, millions of meals are required each year by people in difficulty.
The answer was quick: «In the first day we have prepared and distributed over 500 meals between pizzas and pasta. In two days we have exceeded the 1000 meals donated”. Relevant numbers if related to an independent activity, which operated without the support of agencies or associations, as explained by the same Granieri. The distribution took place directly in the neighborhood, without reservations or filters.
This is not an isolated episode in the history of the club. “During the Covid period, we donated food for weeks,” says Granieri. At the time, the restaurant was transformed into an informal network of food support, and Pizza Secret also did its part. The experience accumulated at that time has probably facilitated the organization even on this occasion.
At the basis of the initiative, however, remains an idea of relationship between business and territory. “I believe that a restaurant rooted in the neighborhood must be there not only when everything works, but also when things get complicated.” And this was translated into a moment of strong connection with the community surrounding Pizza Secret: “It was a concrete way to return something to Brooklyn, which in almost eight years has always supported us.”.
Beyond New York, for Pizza Secret a new adventure starts: this week will arrive the first opening in Italy, in via Canale Tufolo in Casalvelino Marina, in the province of Salerno. There, probably, snow holes are a more unique thing than rare, but the taste of Pizza Secret will soon become a pleasant habit.
L’articolo The Italian restaurant that has donated over a thousand meals during the snow storm comes from IlNewyorkese.
